Business Owner: How To Make Yourself Happier At Work

It’s a terrible tragedy to be unhappy at work, and this is even worse when you’re the business owner.

To help you, the business owner, here’s how to make yourself happier at work so you look forward to each day.

Create a Serene Office

When you’re constantly on the go, it’s nice to have a comfortable, relaxing office space to return to.

Decorate your office, personalize it and make it inviting. You can create a productive office space that is also an inspiring place to work.

Get Help When You Need It

As a business owner, it can be tempting to try to do it all yourself. To make yourself happier, the best advice is to delegate.

Surround yourself with a strong, independent management team you trust. Hand off work and give them the reigns to complete it.

Be a strong enough person to admit that someone else can do something more effectively than you can. This increases your happiness because you don’t have to struggle to complete a task someone else is better suited for.

Meditate

Meditation doesn’t have to be a scary word. Business owners who shut their doors and turn off their brains for a few minutes feel better mentally and emotionally.

All you need to do is shut your door or find a quiet place that shuts out all noise. Set a timer for five to 10 minutes, close your eyes, don’t think and just breathe.

Smile More

You may have heard the saying, “act as if.” If you put a smile on your face, it has the tendency to spread and create an overall feeling of happiness for you and your employees.

Smiling is contagious, and you’ll find that your smiles create smiles on the faces of your employees, boosting morale as well as your own happiness.

Smiling actually tells your brain to be happy.

Say Thank You

Some business owners and bosses don’t think the word thank you is necessary because the paycheck is thanks enough. Not so.

When business owners tell others thank you, it creates the following:

A sense of self-worth for the business owner. It feels good to say thank you.

It gives you a sense of purpose, making you happy because you made someone else happy with your thank you.

It triggers helpful behavior on the part of the employee. Your employees will be more productive when you thank them.

It shows you care and value your staff.

You model gratitude which has the tendency to trickle down.

Walk Away When Angry

You’ll make yourself happier at work if you can take a deep breath and walk away for a minute when you feel the steam rising.

You can also try breathing techniques to reduce feelings of stress and anger that might lead to a negative outburst.

Take breaks whenever you can fit them in to refresh and rejuvenate. These are especially helpful before a meeting you know might be stressful.

Eat Healthy, Get Enough Sleep and Exercise

Eating well and getting enough sleep will translate to more happiness at work.

Add in exercise, and you’ve got the trifecta for happiness.

Be sure and stay hydrated throughout your day and eat healthy snacks. Avoid the vending machine. When business owners are stressed, junk food is often a release. Pack good snacks so you aren’t tempted.

Fit in exercise either before or after work or as your mid-day break. It will affect your energy, attitude and happiness levels.

Be Organized

This harkens back to that serene office space. Keep it organized and clutter-free. A messy office weighs on the mind and keeps you from being happy at work.

When you are more organized, you work more efficiently, and your environment isn’t as hectic or stressful.

First thing in the morning, or better yet, the night before, organize your day. Make your to-do list and set your agenda. Try and stick to it for a better chance at happiness throughout your day.

Learn to Say No

As a business owner, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by requests. It is okay to say no.

Do it kindly and let the employee, vendor or client know when you are able to say yes.

Be Accepting

You can’t change people; you can only change your reaction to them.

Try to take a step back and deal with problems objectively. Maintain a professional attitude and understand that trying to change someone never works and negatively affects your happiness.

Reward Yourself

Along with taking a break, rewarding yourself is a key to your happiness.

Whether the reward is a walk around the block, lunch with your spouse or a trip to your son’s soccer game, rewards are important to your overall work happiness.

Final Thoughts

Now that we’ve talked about how to make yourself happier at work, we’re going to share a secret with you.

Entrepreneurs – from early stage startups to established businesses - are happier at work than their counterparts who don’t own a business.

Of course, the owners of established businesses felt happier than those still struggling to get a footing, but overall they are happier than non-business owners.

So, you see, you are already well ahead of the curve when it comes to the happiness factor. Use these tips here today and watch your happiness rub off on everyone in your office, creating a better work environment for all.

Do you have a favorite way to make yourself happier at work? What works for you? Please comment below to share your tips with others.